Settlement reached in Georgia headcoverings lawsuit

October 6th, 2011by Associated Press in Local - Breaking News

DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. - Attorneys for a woman who was told she could not enter a Douglasville courtroom unless she removed her religious headgear and was jailed for contempt of court say they've reached a settlement in their lawsuit against the city.

The attorneys said Thursday the city has adopted a policy allowing people wearing religious headcoverings to be screened privately by an officer of the same gender. It allows them to wear the headcovering to court.

In 2008, Lisa Valentine, a Muslim, attempted to accompany her nephew to a hearing but was told it was against court policy. After she protested, officers forced her to remove her headcovering and jailed her for hours.

In 2009, the Georgia Judicial Council adopted a non-binding policy clarifying that religious head coverings can be worn in courthouses.